Building construction.



No. 679,746. Patented Aug. 6, l90l. W. H. GRUEBY.

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION.

(Application filed Apr. 8, 1901.)

(No ModeL) UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICFE.

WILLIAM H. GRUEBY, OF CHELSEA, MASSACHUSETTS.

. f, BUILDING CONSTRUCTION. 1

t a r SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters latent No. 679,746, dated Aug dst 6, 1901.

Application filed April 8, 1901.

' its object to improve and simplifythe construction of the partition or wall, to the end that it may be made very thin, yet strong and durable, andmay be constructed so as to present vertical recesses for electric wires, gaspipes, &c., and the tile composing it may be set with their face edges abutting against each other or arranged so close together that the face of the partition or wall is devoid of gaps. In accordance with this invention two stacks of tiles, preferably having enameled or glazed exposed faces, are employed, and the tiles of each stack are provided upon their backs or inner faces with several projecting ribs which extend transversely from edge to edge of the tiles, being from top to bottom thereof when the tiles are stacked, and said projecting ribs are formed with enlarged ends. Each tile has a rib at each end and one or more intermediate ribs, one being herein shown, and the opposite ends of each tile are made flat, and said flat ends are formed at an angle to the face of the tiles for reasons to be hereinafter stated. The tiles of each stack are disposed so as to break joints, and the two stacks of tiles are set relatively to each other in such a manner that the tiles of the two stacks also break joints, and the two stacks of tiles are set close together,with the ribs upon their adjacent faces projecting into the recesses between said ribs- Cement is introduced between the two stacks of tiles which embrace the projecting ribs and which when hardened serves as a bond to lock the tiles of each stack together and also to lock the two stacks of tiles together: In building a partition or wall a vertical recess may be left, if desired, between the two stacks of tiles for the reception of electric wires, gas-pipes, &c.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one of the 1 Serial 170- 54,821. (No model.)

tiles composing the partition or wall. Fig. 2

is a cross-section of a partition or wall shown composed of the tile shown in Fig. 1 bonded together by cement. Fig. 3 is a view showing in full lines the rear stack of tile shown in Fig. 2and in dotted lines the front stack of tile, and Fig. 4 an isometric view ofthe partition or Wall shown in Fig. 2.

The tile (see Fig. 1) consists of a body portion a, having several ribs 29 formed on one side of it which extend across it from edge to edge, said ribs being formed with enlarged ends, preferably having its opposite side or face enameled or glazed. As herein shown, each tile has one middle rib and two end ribs, although so far as this invention is concerned each tile may have as many intermediate ribs as may be deemed desirable. of each tile have one flat side or face, and said flat sides or faces which form the ends of the tileare formed at an angle to the face of the tile, as shown.

In the manufacture of the tile a plastic mass of clay is formed into proper or suitable shape for the tiles, which are then dried, and as they dry they naturally shrink. Being formed, however, with their body portions and projecting ribs, it is found in practice that as the tiles dry and shrink they warp in such manner that the end ribs turn outwardly to a considerable extent, and if the tiles are first formed with their ends at right angles to their faces such tiles when dried will pre- The end ribssent oblique ends disposed at obtuse angles to the faces. Tiles having such oblique ends when stacked will present sutures or gaps at the face side of the partition or wall, which is very objectionable, particularly if the face of the tile is enameled or glazed. To compensate for this warping of the tiles as they shrink, I first form them with their ends oblique to theirfaces, but at an acute angle relatively thereto, and when the tiles so formed dry and shrink said ends will warp, as in the case above noted; but they will still occupy acute angles to their faces, and the tiles herein -are thus formed. These tiles may be set with their face edges abutting against each other.

The tiles are set in two stacks, the tiles of each stack being disposed so as to break joints, as usual in brick masonry, and the two stacks are set relatively to each other so that the tiles of the two stacks also break joints, and the projecting ribs on the adjacent faces of the tiles of each stack enter the recesses between the ribs of the opposite stack. Oement is introduced between the tiles of the two stacks and between the two stacks of tiles when assembled in building the partition or wall, which embraces the projecting ribs on the adjacent faces of the tiles of each stack, and when said cement hardens abond is produced which firmly locks the tiles of each stack together and also looks the two stacks of tiles together. Vertical recesses, such as 0, may be formed between the two stacks, which may be used for electric wires, gas-pipes, &c., and as herein shown a pipe 0 is contained in the recess. As many such vertical recesses may be provided as desired.

It will be seen that by constructing and assembling the tiles as herein shown and bonding them together by cement a very thin wall will be produced, and no independent locking devices are necessary for locking together the tiles of either stack or for locking together the two. stacks of tiles, as has heretofore been designed, nor are the projecting ribs used as interlocking projections which interlock with each other, for although the two stacks of tiles are assembled close togetherthey are bonded together solely by cement, and furthermore the tiles may be set with their face edges abutting. against each other.-

I claim- 1. A partition or wall consisting of two stacks of tiles, the adjacent faces of which are provided with projecting ribs extending from top to bottom of the tiles, and having enlarged ends, the tiles of each stack having their ends formed at an acute angle to their faces, and a cement bond interposed between said two stacks of tiles which embraces said projecting ribs, and which when hardened locks the two stacks of tiles together, substantially as described.

2. The partition or wall herein described consisting of two stacks of tiles having on their adjacent faces projecting ribs which extend from top to bottom of the tiles, and formed with enlarged ends, there being such a rib at each end of each tile formed with a flat side at an acuteangle to theface, and a cement bond interposed between said two stacks of tiles which embraces said projecting ribs, and when hardened, locks the tiles of each stack together and also locks the two stacks of tiles together, substantially as de-- scribed.

3. A tile consisting of a body portion having upon one side several projecting ribs, and formed with its ends at an acute angle to its face, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM H. GRUEB Y. 

